Dispensing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A dispensing apparatus comprising a container and a pump housing carrying a pressure bulb which, when compressed, effects the discharge of a metered quantity of the product to be dispensed through the positive pressure arising in the pressure bulb at this compression and whereby two valves, arranged in the pump housing are displaced. The pump housing is arranged in a narrow portion or neck of the container which neck has a swelling forming the pressure bulb. The container with its neck and pressure bulb are formed in one piece from non-rigid plastic or rubber materials.

United States Patent Benson 1 Feb. 6, 1973 154] DISPENSING APPARATUS3,486,663 12/1969 Humphrey ..222 207 3,162,333 12 1964 D 'd ..222 207[75] Inventor: Gustav Eric Valdemar Benson, Mal- I aw son I S ed m0 w enPrimary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Asslgneel Perpedos MalmO, SwedenAssistant ExaminerJames M. Slattery [22] Filed: July 30, 1970Attorney-Robert E. Burns and Emmanuel J. Lobato [21] Appl. No.1 59,526 1ABSTRACT,

A dispensing apparatus comprising a container and a [30] ForelgnApphcauon Pmmty Data pump housing carrying a pressure bulb which, whenJuly 28, 1969 Sweden 10565/69 compressed, effws the discharge of ametered quantity of the product to be dispensed. through the positive[52] U C] 222/207 222/212 222/215 pressure arising in the pressure bulbat this compres- 222/383 sion and whereby two valves, arranged in thepump 51 I t Cl 865d 37 00 housing are displaced. The pump housing isarranged in a narrow portion or neck of the container which [58] Fieldof Search ..222/383385, 95, neck has a lli fo ming the pressure bulb.The 222/207, 209, 319, 321,;378, 372, 212,215 container with its neckand pressure bulb are formed in one piece from non-rigid plastic orrubber materi- [56] References Cited als.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 2,613,110 10/1952Spingarn ..222/207 X PATENIEDFEB ems 3.715.060

sum 20F a 6 EA! BENSON INVENTOR PATENIEDFEB 61975 sum 3 or 3 Q12. v.aawsow INVEN ron By J; K: 4

DISPENSING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present inventionconcerns an improved dispensing apparatus for discharging liquid orcreamy products this apparatus being of the kind comprising a containerand a pump housing arranged at the discharge end, the said pump housinghaving an internal through passage in which are disposed two valvesdelimiting between them an intermediate valve chamber being in constantcommunication with the interior of a resilient pressure ball which isprovided on the pump housing and adapted, when compressed, i.e., when apositive pressure is generated therein, to close the valve positionedadjacent the discharge end of the container and open the valvepositioned adjacent the discharge end of the through passage, and thereverse at the occurrence of a negative pressure in the pressure bulb.

Such dispensing apparatuses are not very hygienic since they aredifficult to clean thoroughly whereby in addition the dispensingcapability of the apparatus gradually deteriorates. Because apparatusesof this kind are generally intendedto be attached to the end ofconventional tubes, flasks, bottles and the like sealing problems alwaysarise. For instance, the product to be dispensed may leak out or outsideair be sucked in, resulting in malfunctioning of the apparatus. If airis allowed to enter at a pointahead of the discharge opening of theapparatus, oxidizing of the product will result, inevitably accompaniedby blocking or plug-up which might makeimpossible further discharge ofthe product. For the above reasons previously known apparatuses of thiskind cannot possibly be said to fulfil the demands of sterility requiredin medical use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To eliminate among others the drawbacksreferred to above the dispensing apparatus in accordance with theinvention is characterized in that at its discharge end, the containeris formed with a neck portion in which the pump housing is arranged thatthe pressure bulb is formed through a swelling of the neck portion andthat the container with its neck portion and pressure bulb ismanufactured in one piece from non-rigid plastic of rubber materials.

Owing to the low manufacturing costs of producing an apparatus of thiskind a disposable dispensing apparatus. is provided which is extremelyhygienic and may be used to dispense products of various kinds. Fordomestic uses may be mentioned products such as mustard, liquid soaps,hair schampoos and the like. In the treatment of illnesses, such as eyediseases, the apparatus in accordance with the invention is highlysuitable for feeding out liquids for eye baths. In this instance, thedischarge opening ispreferably shaped as bowl adapted to be pressedagainst the eye ball. Since the apparatus with its container may bedelivered completely sterilized and sealed, it is very useful also forother medical purposes. Because of certain predetermined quantity isdispensed at each compression of the pressure bulb it is also possibleto provide for metering of the container contents, such as for instancein dosing of medicines.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be described indetail in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a lateral view of the apparatus in accordance with theinvention,

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section, shown in a larger scale, of the lowerportion of the apparatus,

FIG. 3 is a section through the apparatus along line III-III of FIG. 2,and

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the lower portion of the apparatus.

DETAILEDDESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As shown in FIG. 1 theapparatus consists of a container 1 having a neck portion 2 formed atthe discharge end. The neck portion is in turn formed with a pressurebulb 3. In the neck portion 2 is formed a pump housing 4 such that thedischarge end 5 thereof extends beyond the neck 2. FIG. 1 also showsthat the container 1 is closed in air-tight manner. By manufacturing thecontainer from rubber or non-rigid plastic materials, such aspolyvinylchloride, it is easy to compress the container as the productcontained therein is being discharged.

The longitudinal section in accordance with FIG. 2 clearly illustratesthe manner in which the pump housing 4 is mounted in the neck portion 2of the container 1. At its lower end, the neck 2 is provided with acircumferentially extending peripheral groove 6 in which engages aflange or head 7 arranged along the circumference of the pump housing 4.In order'that acommunication passage 8 (to be described in detail later)in the pumphousing 4 be maintained in correct position andbrought tocommunicate with the interior of the pressure bulb 3, a notch 9' formedat the lower edge 9 of the neck 2 is provided in whichnotch engagesa lip10 on the pump housing 4. The pump housing 4 is provided with a throughpassage 11 in which are disposed two valves 12 and 13. They define:between them an intermediate valve chamber 14 which is in constantcommunication with the interior of the pressure bulb 3 through thecommunication channel 8.

The valves 12 and 13 are formed from a tubular body 15, 16 (see alsoFIG. 4) which is provided with a funnel-shaped rim 17, 18 of a resilientmaterial and so directed that in their position of rest the valves l2,13 close off valve chamber 14 from the rest of the through passage 11.The radial guidanceof the valves 12, 13 is obtained by means of a guideshaft 19 which is positioned in the through passage 11 and extendsthrough the tubular bodies 15, 16 of the valves. The guide shaft.

19 is provided at its lower end with a tripod 20 resting against ashoulder 21 in the through passage 11. The shoulder is formed throughthe stepwise tapering of the through passage 11 towards its dischargeend 33. The upper end of the guide shaft 19 abuts against a stop plate22 which is inserted into the upper end of the pump housing 4 andprovided with a diametrically positioned stop pin 23 (see FIG. 3)against which the guide shaft 19 abuts. A supporting sleeve 24 isinserted between the stop plate 22 and the upper valve 12 whereby asupport is provided protecting the valve rim 17 when an abnormalpressure is exerted. It also appears from FlGS. 2 and 3 that thepressure bulb 3 is provided with a reinforcing bead 25 facilitating thereturn movement of the pressure bulb 3 after compression of the latterwhereby is ensured the negative pressure necessary for the functioningof the apparatus (as will be described in the following).

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 also illustrate one embodiment of an attachment meansfor fastening the apparatus on a wall or the like. A bracket 26 isscrewed onto the wall 26, the said bracket being designed to receive theneck portion 2 of the container 1 at that side thereof facing away fromthe wall. The apparatus is kept in position by means of a clamping plate28 having a U-shaped cross sectionq'the limbs 29 of said clamping plateembracing the bracket 27, each limb 29 having a pin 30 engaging in acorresponding notch 31 formed in the side of the bracket 27. Theclamping plate 28 is provided with an opening 32 for the pressure bulb3.

in summary, the following takes place in the operation of the apparatusin accordance with the invention, it being assumed that the pressurebulb 3 is not compressed and the interior of the pump housing 4 filledwith the product to be discharged. When the pressure bulb 3 iscompressed, for instance when squeezed by the thumb of one hand, apositive pressure is generated in the valve chamber 14 whereby the valverim 17 of the upper valve 12 is being pressed sealingly against the wallof the through passage 11, i.e., the valve 12 closes. At the same timethe rim 18 of the lower valve 13 is displaced by the positive pressureof the air contained in the pressure bulb 3. The valve 13 thus alsoopens and an amount of the product corresponding in volume approximatelyto the volume of the pressure bulb 3, is being discharged out throughthe discharge end 33 of the through passage 11. This is so, provided thepressure bulb 3 is completely compressed. If a smaller amount of theproduct is wanted, naturally the bulb 3 is compressed to a lesserextent. When the compression force on the pressure bulb 3 is thenrelieved, the bulb tends to resume its original semi-spherical shape,and in doing so it is considerably helped by the reinforcing bead 25. Anegative pressure is then created in the pressure bulb 3 and the valvechamber 14, such that the rim 17 of the valve 12 is displaced throughthe pressure exerted from the mass of the product contained in thecontainer 1. The upper valve 12 thus opens and the lower valve 13 closesunder the influence of the negative pressure, the valve chamber 14filling up with the discharge product. The apparatus is thus again readyto discharge the product upon compression of the pressure bulb 3. Itshould be noted that the communication channel 8 and the valve chamber14 are always filled with the product to be discharged, the productbeing, however, continuously advanced further through the throughpassage 11. No amount of the product thus remains in any area longerthan the period between each use of the apparatus. By suitabledimensioning of the diameter of the discharge end 33 of the throughpassage 11 in relation to the viscosity of the product to be dischargedit is possible, because of the capillary effect, to avoid dripping. Whenmanufacturing the container 1 with its neck portion 2 and pressure bulb3 as one integral element it is preferable to start from a hose blank ofnon-rigid plastics which is blown in a mould,

whereupon the upper end of the container 1 is closed by heat sealing.The complete pump housing 4 is thereafter pushed into the neck portion 2and heat sealing, glueing and the like carried out between the loweredge 9 of the neck portion 2 and the pump housing 4. In many cases itis, however, possible to manufacture the pieces with such excellent fitthat the joint is tight also if the above-mentioned measures are noteffected.

The invention is by no means limited to the embodiment as shown anddescribed above but several modifications are possible within the scopeof the appended claims. For instance the valves 12, 13 may be of adifferent type than the one shown. They need only fulfil the demand ofopening at the present of a positive pressure in the direction away fromthe container 1 and of closing when a positive pressure is exerted fromthe discharge end 5 in the direction towards the container 1. Thepressure bulb 3 may, for instance, be in the form of torus-shapedbellows extending around the neck portion 2. It is further possible tomake the device lockable which is an advantage in cases when it ismounted in public washrooms and the like. The pins 30 are then replacedby a through-screw the head of which is so shaped that the screw may beremoved only by means of a special wrench. The discharge end 33 of thethrough passage 11 may be made closed and being opened, when used, forinstance through cutting, and the like.

What I claim is:

l. A dispensing apparatus for discharging a fluid product comprising acontainer for said fluid product, said container having an elongatedneck portion formed integrally therewith, said neck portion having agenerally cylindrical configuration with an enlargement protrudingoutwardly therefrom to define a pressure bulb, said container, neckportion and pressure bulb being made in one piece from a flexiblematerial, a pump housing disposed in said elongated neck portion, saidpump housing having an internal central passage having one longitudinalend in communication with said container and the other longitudinal enddefining a discharge end, a first and second valve means disposed inspaced relationship to one another in said central passage to definetherebetween an intermediate valve chamber, said first valve beinglocated between said container and said intermediate valve chamber, saidsecond valve being located between said intermediate valve chamber andsaid discharge end, said pump housing having an opening providingcommunication between said intermediate valve chamber and the interiorof said pressure bulb, said pressure bulb being compressible to closesaid first valve and open said second valve as fluid is forced out ofthe interior of the pressure bulb, through said pump housing opening andthrough said pump central passage to said discharge end, said pressurebulb being returnable to its uncompressed state to open said first valveand close said second valve as fluid is drawn from said container pastsaid first valve, into said intermediate valve chamber, through saidpump housing opening and into the interior of said pressure bulb.

2. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said container,neck portion and pressure bulb are made of non-rigid plastic.

3. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said container,neck portion and pressure bulb are made of rubber.

4. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said non-rigidplastic is polyvinyl chloride. 5

1. A dispensing apparatus for discharging a fluid product comprising acontainer for said fluid product, said container having an elongatedneck portion formed integrally therewith, said neck portion having agenerally cylindrical configuration with an enlargement protrudingoutwardly therefrom to define a pressure bulb, said container, neckportion and pressure bulb being made in one piece from a flexiblematerial, a pump housing disposed in said elongated neck portion, saidpump housing having an internal central passage having one longitudinalend in communication with said container and the other longitudinal enddefining a discharge end, a first and second valve means disposed inspaced relationship to one another in said central passage to definetherebetween an intermediate valve chamber, said first valve beinglocated between said container and said intermediate valve chamber, saidsecond valve being located between said intermediate valve chamber andsaid discharge end, said pump housing having an opening providingcommunication between said intermediate valve chamber and the interiorof said pressure bulb, said pressure bulb being compressible to closesaid first valve and open said second valve as fluid is forced out ofthe interior of the pressure bulb, through said pump housing opening andthrough said pump central passage to said discharge end, said pressurebulb being returnable to its uncompressed state to open said first valveand close said second valve as fluid is drawn from said container pastsaid first valve, into said intermediate valve chamber, through saidpump housing opening and into the interior of said pressure bulb.
 1. Adispensing apparatus for discharging a fluid product comprising acontainer for said fluid product, said container having an elongatedneck portion formed integrally therewith, said neck portion having agenerally cylindrical configuration with an enlargement protrudingoutwardly therefrom to define a pressure bulb, said container, neckportion and pressure bulb being made in one piece from a flexiblematerial, a pump housing disposed in said elongated neck portion, saidpump housing having an internal central passage having one longitudinalend in communication with said container and the other longitudinal enddefining a discharge end, a first and second valve means disposed inspaced relationship to one another in said central passage to definetherebetween an intermediate valve chamber, said first valve beinglocated between said container and said intermediate valve chamber, saidsecond valve being located between said intermediate valve chamber andsaid discharge end, said pump housing having an opening providingcommunication between said intermediate valve chamber and the interiorof said pressure bulb, said pressure bulb being compressible to closesaid first valve and open said second valve as fluid is forced out ofthe interior of the pressure bulb, through said pump housing opening andthrough said pump central passage to said discharge end, said pressurebulb being returnable to its uncompressed state to open said first valveand close said second valve as fluid is drawn from said container pastsaid first valve, into said intermediate valve chamber, through saidpump housing opening and into the interior of said pressure bulb.
 2. Adispensing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said container, neckportion and pressure bulb are made of non-rigid plastic.
 3. A dispensingapparatus according to claim 1 wherein said container, neck portion andpressure bulb are made of rubber.